Improving their record against NL Central Division teams was among Cincinnati's top goals going into the 2009 season. A month into the season, the Reds were on their way toward meeting that goal, and with the division's top two teams scheduled to come to town for a brief five-game homestand, continuing their progress would make a statement.
The Reds, 31-47 in the division last season, is 11-8 record against division opponents after Wednesday's loss. They have played more games in the Central than any team except Houston, which is 7-13. "(The division) is close, as anticipated," manager Dusty Baker said. "There's a lot of parity in the division."
The Brewers are second in the Central, two games behind the Cardinals. The Cubs are third, 2 1/2 games back, with the Reds 3 1/2 games out.
"We've played in our division quite a lot already," Baker said. "I'm just worried about where we are right now."
BREWERS 15, REDS 3: RHP Bronson Arroyo faced 12 batters and nine of them scored, four on Ryan Braun's grand-slam that knocked the Cincinnati starter out of the game in the second inning. Arroyo has allowed nine earned runs twice in his last three starts. The Reds set season highs by allowing 15 runs and 20 hits.
